I am new here, and am so glad to find an online support group such as this. I have only been 'diagnosed' for 5 weeks, and I know my case is considerably milder than some. I have been dealing with Panic, and Anxiety driven fears for years on end. But didn't want to 'bother' the Doctor. I had a crisis and was prescribed Lorazepam by the on-call Doctor. I only took it twice, because although I desperately needed to sleep, I was afraid I wouldn't wake up to get my 5 yr old off to school. So I took it on the weekend, slept fabulously for the first time in months. When I returned to the Doctor, (my Doc this time) I brought a copy of a quiz about depression and Anxiety. She and I had a long talk, and cry. Which for me is big, because I have NEVER been a crier until two months ago, then I cried every day. She prescribed Paxil, which I had heard both positive and negative things about. So far so good. I have been feeling over all, better. Bonus is my appetite has decreased, and for a compulsive eater that is good. I also have a dry mouth, but no one drinks enough water these days, so I go with it. My teenage daughter is undergoing treatment too, through the Ministry of Children and Families, they also have sent a counseller to our house ((for free!!)) to help mediate our problems. My daughter is EXTREMELY angry, and that coupled with my chronic depression and anxiety is a recipe for family discord if I ever saw it. I have been off work for 6 weeks and am recieving sick benefits, so have had a lot of time for thinking about this stuff. I am doing alot of reading and exploring the internet. I hope to continue to talk to people here. :) Susan
